Akai GX-600DB test and quick fix 

Dit is allemaal onderhouden spul. Die schakelaars werken zoals ze nieuw ook al deden. Ik ben na al die jaren gewoon heel trefzeker geworden. Ik weet hoeveel kracht er op alles staat bij wat ik doe. Het spul gaat dan ook nooit kapot bij mij (anders dan natuurlijk revisies van transistoren etc.). Je had me moeten zien met m'n Telefunken M15A. Dat ding is gebouwd als een tank en bedoeld voor ruw werk. Daar kun je écht mee 'smijten' in de bediening. Blij dat m'n 50/60hz tip werkte! V.w.b. de 600/630: Je wil alleen de 600. Al die direct drive motoren gaan bibberen. Niet iedereen is er even gevoelig voor, maar de 600 krijgt het niet. Klankmatig is er zeker beter, maar qua betrouwbaarheid (na revisie) en looks is zo'n 600D(B) echt een super gaaf apparaat.

Thank you! Now what to do with it...

It's all done! There's a new video of it on my channel

Happy you like it, Clóvis!

Depends on what tape it is set up for. Generally though, maxell tapes, tdk audua and sd, BASF 910, 911, 528, 468 and new rmgi tapes are reliable. Just avoid anything else because after all these years it's definitely deteriorated beyond reasonable reliability :). It is why I stopped using reel to reel myself, sadly. Happy you liked the video! Thanks!

Don`t use old tapes buy new ones . RTM make great new tapes , I use the SM911 , I have one of these machines too (amongst about 20 others) and the SM911 tape works great one it . Look for "recording the masters tape" on google you`ll find them , you can buy it direct from the manufacturer and it`ll be better than any old tape you`ll find out there . www.recordingthemasters.com/store/

It is! Don't buy one that has not had at least it's 2sc458 transistors replaced unless you want to do it yourself because they will go wrong. I suggest going for a teac a series instead :)

@@rollingtroll hey! thanks for replying so quick. I was inclined to buy this machine for its looks and the fact that it supports 10" tape, but now I've been looking forward to buy a 4000DS since it's more compatible with the use I'm going to give it (music production). Do you have any advice for a beginner in the reel to reel world? If so, I'll be very grateful.

The NAB-adapters have to be mounted in the right manner on the AKAI 630D. There are two ways to mount them. One method is for plastic reels. The other is for aluminum reels. For plastic reels, you align the white lines of the NAB-adapter with the black dot located on the built-in reel retainers. This allows these NAB-adapters to sink into the built-in reel retainer to the maximum possible depth. However, for aluminum reels, you want the NAB-adapters to move away from the built-in reel retainers a tad. To do this, you do NOT align the white lines of the NAB-adapters with the black dots located on each of the built-in reel retainers. So, what tends to look like the proper mounting method, is actually for plastic reels only. By not mounting it properly, the tape may end up constantly or occasionally rubbing up against one side of each of the aluminum reels.

@@new-knowledge8040 Only seeing this now. There's even a little dot on the adapter and recorded to get it right. That said, some reels are just warped/bent :D.

You'd need to trigger the auto shut-off sensor. I am right now not sure if with the 260 that's near the heads, or if it's one of the tape guides on either side. Thing is; THe issues with these machines are rarely mechanical, it's the audio electronics that will give you a hard time. So without tape, you can't be sure :).

If I'm not mistaken the right tape guide (to the right of the headstack) is the one triggering the shut-off :)

Thanks

I have 35 years of reel to reel experience, had over 500 machines and never broke one due to the way I handled it, except for one that blew (!) off a table. I didn't even even break the ones that are known for breaking due to harsh treatment like the knobs of most mechanical akais, or the super thin tape guides of the Philips N4520. I'm not being rough, I just know exactly how much pressure I can apply to every switch and knob after years of doing this, so I can work quick with these machines, without putting any strain on them. Same with record players, same with repairing laptops, same with driving cars. Everything lasts with me. Watch how a vet handles an animal, or how an IT guy builds a computer and you'll notice the same thing. It looks much rougher than it is, because they know exactly what they are doing.

(Also I'm not a repair man)

That happens a lot i my life :D

@@rollingtroll Do you like Al that much or you are just playing him?Do hope you and the Viking know what you are doing...just remember how the Romans failed in Caledonia..But again, some never learn...Lol

Is Wickie as in wicked or as in wick...? AS YOU BETTER KNOW , IT CAN'T BE BOTH, and so says the ghost with the blue eyes...But shouldn't the troll also have played ''The year of the Cat''? What do you think Wickie ? . That was too easy, and for sure you were EXPECTING that...Hahaha

And again, as the above was being written rumblings from God , OUT OF COMPLETELY QUIET SKY (Synch it with the Doppler)...Shema!!! and not ONLY to you own mere mortal selves.